A Pinch of Kerry

Damn Door

[Morning]

I rolled over in my bed rubbing my eyes. Then, I brushed my teeth. I headed to the kitchen to get some type of food. I was in my usual back home clothing, t-shirt and boy shirts. When I got my house I vowed that I would wear whatever I wanted. Today I was going to start this new sculpture made out of newspaper. I'm not sure what it was going to be, but I figured I'd cross that bridge when I got to it. Some lady I'd talked to at my art show said she would love to promote my art and she has her own photographer. It sounded like a great opportunity to get recognized. First, I had to get some newspaper. I took a bite of a Nutri-Grain bar and walked to my door to see if they delivered the newspaper. I opened my door with a frown.

"Morning!" He smiled.

Not only was I not a morning person, but now he's getting on my nerves.

"Go home." I bent down to get the newspaper and closed the door. I apparently I didn't lock it because he came in right behind me.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE?!" I was agitated. Its too early.

"I brought you coffee. You can at least listen." He sat two coffees on my NEW table I got after he broke the last.

"I'll take the coffee, but you can go."

"Kerry....Don't act like the last few months were nothing."

"Don't make me throw this coffee in your face. I don't want to, but I will."

"I'm saying.....you're still my bestfriend."

"Yep, and thats it." I sipped.

"What does that mean?"

"It means, me and James talked last night and we just might be together again. You showed who you are, I believe you, the end." I smiled.

He was silent. Now I felt bad. I felt the pain in his eyes. He stood there, motionless.

"I blacked out yesterday and my bestfriend wasn't there to help me. Think about that." I sat down on my couch and folded my legs while I wrestled through the newspaper.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm making a newspaper sculpture."

"Is it going to be of James?" He joked.

"It could be of myself." I snapped back.

"A sculpture of yourself? You are not that conceited."

He was right. I couldn't even do a small self portrait without feeling a bit strange. I hated that he got to know me and then told me that. It sort of messed with me that a man fell head over heels for me and the first thing he does is leave.

"It should be an animal, a lion!" He said excited like he was going to help.

I actually really liked that idea,"you like art?"

"I like the person with the art."

I gave him a death glance, "You don't get to do that anymore."

"Yall aren't completely together."

"We might as well be." I assured.

"Did you love me?"

"Doesn't matter now."

"It does." He said strictly.

"It doesn't. Stop. Just stop. You can be my friend, but nothing else. Let that be it."

"I can't just-.."

"You came here! I didn't tell you to say what you said and then leave! Do I look like the type of woman to wait on a man? If you don't like it, you can go! You left already!"

"Why do you keep mentioning me leaving? I didn't leave. I'm here now."

"I'm tired of this conversation." I gathered the newspaper and went for my room.

I put on clothes and washed my face. I brushed my hair a little and left it down.

"I always liked when you wore your hair down..." He leaned on my doorway.

"You need to go. I'm about to go see James. I know you don't want to see the man I chose over you, so, bye." I said as I put on lip gloss and mascara.

"You looked beautiful natural..."

I continued to get ready and shift around my room. I grabbed everything I needed and headed for the door. I was stopped by him grabbing my arm.

"Fight for me...." He spoke.

"Its not my fault I dropped my boxing gloves and you put them on. I'm done."

I snatched my arm away and left. It was dumb to leave him there, but something said he wasn't stupid. My phone went off and I just answered it. "Yes?" I said annoyed.

"Damn. Who pissed in your coffee?" They spoke.

"Charlotte! How are you?!"

"A little less chipper than you, sunshine. You?" She replied.

"I'm great. How's work?"

"Surprisingly, better than usual. My assistant is dumber than a sack of rocks though. I asked for black coffee and he put black dye in the coffee."

I laughed so hard I almost swerved off the road.

I stopped laughing, "He? Girl..."

"I know....but he's just so fine." She puffed.

"And yet so stupid...." I added.

"At least he's not a servant!" She hit back.

"Girl don't do it. My legs stayed closed. I'm still having men problems though."

"If you a P-I-M-P, gone brush ya shoulders off."

"Shut up!" I laughed.

"I'll call you later for a plans, kay?"

"Alright."

We hung up in unison. It was really great to have someone like Charlotte as a friend. She was like all my friends mixed in one. I'm surprised I hadn't met her earlier. She was only in NY for a few months before it was back to Cali. I think I'm going to miss her, well, at least our talks. I pulled up to James' house to surprise him. I got out the car and stood at his front door to knock. I don't know why, but my heart just started beating really fast. Why was I nervous? This was not my first time seeing him. Was this some sort of weird metaphorical way of saying opening James' door means closing Johns? Everything was telling me to knock, but I just stood there. Soon, I heard foot steps and I felt like I was about to faint. Before I saw the very familliar black light, he opened the door.

"Hey," I said lightly.

"Hey! What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to surprise you," I awkwardly smiled. It was the bad smile with all my teeth showing and my eyes big.

"You did," He pulled me in for a hug.

"Come in and let me close this door."